It was the sort of forecast that could justify even the more committed cycling club member to think “Nah! I’ll just give this one a miss.” Nevertheless, those sponsored by their partners to get from under their feet every Thursday turned up at Meadow Lea. The bad weather was due from lunchtime, so a short ride may have avoided too many wet hours in the saddle. Dave Matthews and Andy Whitgreave were doing their own truncated outing, and Jim and Trevor were intending to ride to Ness and back. Andy Barber, Big Ray, Keith, Mike Dodd and myself looked like being the moderate gang. However, when I outlined my usual sketchy notion of a ride with a direct, wind assisted route back if required, Jim and Trev decided to join us, along with John Mills who had just rolled in.
We headed in the direction of Morley Bridge on the A56 before taking to the quiet little lanes by Dunham Heath, then south to Broomhill and Hollowmoor Heath, crossing the A54 at Tarvin Sands, passing through Oscroft (home of Dave M.), and reaching Willington Corner. Choices were now available. Cutting straight down for lunch at Alison’s in Tattenhall was a possibility, or perhaps we could wend a more easterly route, get a few more miles in, then head for Bunbury, and make the lunch decision depending on the weather. I took counsel from Trevor and Jim, before deciding on the more interesting option of navigating a route beyond Tarporley to Eaton, and Tilstone. John was doing a gentle recovery ride from injury, so took his leave, as we turned up Wood Lane in the direction of Cotebrook. It had been good to have John’s company, and reminded me of the enjoyable summer ride that he had with us in the Ribble and Hodder valleys.
Near Oulton Park there was the roar of engines practising for the Easter weekend race meeting. At Tilstone we rode a familiar route in reverse: down to the pretty canal crossing at Tilstone Bank and up again toward Bunbury. At this point instead of going into the village we made the decision to forget lunch until we returned to Meadow Lea, and turned right for the A49 and Tiverton. Now the promised rain arrived but with the wind firmly behind us we were flying straight back via Huxley, Hargrave and Waverton. We took a left to Christleton Village, and were rapidly passed by a blonde woman in pink tights who had the look of a top track sprinter; needless to say, nobody even attempted to follow her back wheel. We know our place and it’s definitely not in the medals. The rain had stopped during the last leg, so just perhaps, Andy didn’t have a wet ride home to Mold. Jim and Trevor were too close to home to lunch at Meadow Lea. I know Jim would think it a heresy to spend money so close to home on food and service, when he doesn’t even have to leave a tip for Diane. Ray, Mike, Keith and myself ate a hearty lunch. It was good to catch up with Mike after so long, and with Keith and Jim taking part again it was heartening to have trusted comrades to recall adventures past. We covered nearly thirty five enjoyable miles, and were glad we had made the effort.
DH
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